Chapter 22.2

Touched by this, Luo Lan was in high spirits. Riding her bike out of the village, she saw her husband coming to pick her up, her voice light and cheerful.

“I can get home quickly on my own. No need to come every day.”

“Mom insisted I come. Today, she told me to come straight to pick you up after work.”

“Wouldn’t you come if Mom didn’t push you?”

The man paused momentarily while riding, then quickly caught up to her. “Oh, they say women’s hearts are as deep as the ocean, it’s true. Just now, you said I didn’t need to pick you up and you could come back by yourself after work.”

“I can say that, but you can’t do it.”

“Unreasonable.” His tone was not harsh, but full of confusion. “I thought you were a straightforward person, but it turns out you’re also contradictory.”

“I can be independent, but I also appreciate your thoughtfulness.”

The man pondered for a moment and then turned back to her. “But sometimes, I’m quite blunt. What if I can’t guess right?”

“So far, you’ve done very well.”

“If I sometimes miss the mark, you can just tell me directly. We’re a couple, and I hope you can speak your mind. As long as I can do it, I, as your partner, won’t refuse.”

“For example, if I want you to pick me up in the middle of the night during the wheat harvest?”

He nodded confidently. “No problem. As long as I’m not on duty, anytime.”

Luo Lan looked at his earnest face and couldn’t help but burst into laughter. She had thought he was complaining about her earlier, which made her a bit unhappy. But seeing him like this, she realized his straightforward nature meant he genuinely cared.

“My legs are sore from harvesting for two days. Can you massage them for me tonight?”

“Sure. Soak them in hot water first to relieve the fatigue, and then I’ll give you a massage.”

When they got home, her mother-in-law had already prepared dinner. Luo Lan didn’t even have to wash the dishes afterward. The thermos was filled with hot water, and there was hot water in the kitchen for her to wash up. Her husband brought her the water without a hint of dissatisfaction from her mother-in-law, who spoke gently and with concern.

Soaking her feet in the warm water, she felt her entire body relax. This was what life was about. She always believed her life wasn’t meant to be spent in constant conflict. Now, her life was wonderful; she didn’t have to do anything after work and didn’t have to deal with anyone’s temper.

“Asleep?” her husband asked softly as he saw her lying down.

“No. It’s just so comfortable that I feel like dozing off.”

“Come on, I’ll massage your legs.” After soaking her feet, she lay flat on the bed, and he sat beside her, relaxing her leg muscles. “You harvest while bending over and squatting, right?”

“Yes.”

“Standing up and using scissors could also cut the stalks, right?”

“Even if you cut the stalks, you still have to harvest the rest. It’s just a matter of order.”

“That’s true.”

“It’s just that the first few days are hard to get used to, so my legs hurt. After a few days, it will be fine.”

“I got your residence permit today. Tomorrow, I’ll go to the brigade with you.”

Luo Lan, who had been dozing off, sat up instantly. “Really?”

“Really.” Seeing her surprise, he smiled. “Maybe your legs won’t even have time to get used to it before you don’t need to work in the fields anymore.”

“…”

“Why are you quiet?”

“I’m overwhelmed by the good news and don’t know what to say.”

“Haha.”

“You’re not just saying this to make me happy, are you? I’m actually not in a hurry. I’ve gotten used to the work in the fields, and the brigade’s work is enough for my needs.”

He didn’t say much, just got off the bed and took out two pieces of paper from his bag, handing them to her. “See for yourself. Would I lie to you?”

Seeing the clear red header and the official seal, her already excited heart soared even higher. She had achieved the transition from rural to urban residency.

“By the way, where were you injured at work to get such a good benefit? I never noticed anything wrong with you.”

Already husband and wife, he didn’t hesitate, lifting his shirt. Previously, they had only been together at night, and she had never seen him in full light. Now, under the bright light, she saw the horrifying scar on his back.

“Oh my god, such a long scar. Was it serious at the time?”

The scar was rough and jagged, like a centipede crawling down his back from his left shoulder to his waist. Seeing it, she could imagine the pain he must have endured.

“Did it hurt a lot?” He hadn’t said anything, but she reached out to touch his back. Her calloused hand gently touched the scar, sending a shiver down his spine. He quickly moved away.

“Don’t touch it.”

He seemed to blush, didn’t he? Luo Lan tilted her head in doubt, only to see him turning away, revealing his red ears.

“Giggle,” she laughed softly.

“What’s so funny?” His voice was embarrassed.

“I’m happy, so I laughed.”

He turned to look at her. She had already washed up, and although her face was tanned from working in the fields, her healthy complexion complemented her bright features, making her just as beautiful. Her big eyes looked at him, seemingly with a hidden charm. Maybe there was no charm in her eyes, but he felt it in his heart.

He reached up and turned off the light, quickly undressed, and got into bed. As newlyweds, their passion was high, and Luo Lan’s joy over the residency permit made her forget her leg pain.

After a night of intimacy, their relationship grew even stronger. The next day, he accompanied her to the brigade with the permit. They arrived just as the work bell rang, and Wang’s old wife seemed to be waiting for her. Seeing the couple together, she paused.

Curious onlookers started asking questions. “Luo Lan, why did you bring your husband to work? You two are so close.”

Old Lady Wang couldn’t stand such remarks and impatiently interjected, “What’s so good about that? She still has to work in the brigade after getting married, just like before.”

Luo Lan snorted coldly and decided not to hold back. She spoke up directly, “I’m here to transfer my household registration. Have you seen the branch secretary? Is he at the party branch or at home?”

“What did you say?” The old lady Wang had a shocked and incredulous expression. “You’re transferring your household registration?”

A nearby woman also asked in surprise, “Are you becoming a city resident?”

Luo Lan smiled at the woman and said, “Yes, I’m changing from rural to urban registration.”

This statement was enough to make Old Lady Wang tremble even more than the day before. Her eyes lost focus, her expression turned hysterical, and she seemed to be both laughing and crying at the same time.

The others didn’t care about her state and those close to Luo Lan started congratulating her. “You’re so fortunate! I always knew someone as beautiful as you would have a good fate.”

“Let me help you find the branch secretary. Congratulations, Sister Luo Lan.”

“Hey, Old Lady Wang, what happened to you?”

Just as someone was about to help find the branch secretary, the second son of the Wang family came over and saw Old Lady Wang collapse to the ground. He shouted for his mother and quickly helped her up. Seeing her trembling and with a crooked mouth, he picked her up and rushed home.

The news of Luo Lan’s household registration transfer quickly spread throughout the brigade. It was during the busy farming season, and soon everyone knew. Envy and jealousy were present, but no one pitied or mocked her anymore.

“Zhou Qingshan, what about your brother’s matter?”

“Don’t worry, you’ll see the result soon.”

“It seems like there’s going to be a change? I see slogans everywhere in the streets.”

“Hmm.”

°.✩┈┈∘*┈˃̶୨୧˂̶┈*∘┈┈✩.°

Hey guys, do check out Ayalee’s other translation projects here  ʚ(*´꒳`*)ɞ